Ex-MUSC pathologist pleads to misdemeanor count

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - A former Medical University of South Carolina pathologist has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count in a case involving stem cells sent through the mail.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports Dr. Vincent Dammai of Mount Pleasant pleaded guilty in Houston on Tuesday to a count of causing the introduction of stem cells into interstate commerce without approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

His sentencing is set for November.

Dammai was arrested in 2011, 1 of 4 men accused of allegedly marketing stem cells from women's umbilical cords to critically ill people.

Dammai's attorney said his client mailed stem cells he thought would be used appropriately for research and not for unproven, highly-expensive treatment of terminally ill people.